Cambodia has made significant progress in reducing infant and child mortality, which both fell more than 60% between 2000 and 2011. However, deep social disparities exist between urban and rural areas, where poverty and child stunting and underweight remain widespread. The Joint Programme aimed at improving the nutritional status of Cambodian women and children, targeting in particular children aged 0-24 months and pregnant and lactating women.

In partnership with relevant government ministries, the programme produced a comprehensive integrated package of nutrition and food security interventions to reduce under nutrition and improve food security among a high risk population.

The programme operated on three fronts:

It strengthened existing nutrition, food security and agriculture policies and developed innovative strategies for improving nutrition at population level.

It strengthened nutrition monitoring systems, assessing the impact of its interventions and providing guidance for scaling up the package.

The programme supported the National Nutrition Program (NNP) and contributed to the development and approval of policies, guidelines, and training modules, including: Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), National Policy and Guidelines for Micronutrient Supplementation to Prevent and Control Deficiencies in Cambodia, National Guidelines for the Management of Acute Malnutrition, Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI), Campaign to Promote Complementary Feeding in Cambodia, National Communication Strategy to Promote the Use of Iron/Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation for Pregnant and Postpartum Women 2010-2013, Curriculum for Master of Science in Nutrition, FSN Media Hand Book for Journalists, Nutrition Handbook for Family focused on farmer field school teams, Food Security and Nutrition Quarterly Bulletin, and Maternity Leave and Workplace Policy.

Coordination mechanisms were established at the sub-national levels which have ensured better implementation.

6110 children aged 6-23 months received micronutrient supplementation and 5919 families received technical and material inputs to enhance their food security. Children in 110 schools received high energy biscuits, nutrition education and support for school gardening.

The National Institute of Public Health launched the first Master of Science course in October 2012. The programme supported the organization of the 4th National Seminar on Food Security and Nutrition under the theme Child and Maternal Nutrition in May 2012. The meeting, opened by the Prime Minister, was the first national seminar focusing on nutrition and had over 500 participants.

Lessons learnt from the Joint Programme will be used for future development of an integrated community-based nutrition programme.

Click for more detailed results from the Joint Programmes in Cambodia.

The Joint Programme in action

JOINT PROGRAMME QUICK FACTS

Programme Dates13 Jan 2010 - 30 Jun 2013

Net funded amount$4,999,445

Participating UN agenciesFAO, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, WHO

National partnersMinistry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, Ministry of Tourism, National Mother and Child Health Center, Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, Garment Manufacturer’s Association in Cambodia, Helen Keller International, Magna Children at Risk, Trade unions, CSOs